Interlibrary Loan (ILL) F.A.Q.

What are the copyright terms and conditions?

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be 'used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research'. If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of 'fair use', that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

Are Interlibrary Loan services available to distance learners?

Interlibrary Loan services are available to Drexel University distance learning students. Since materials must be requested from another library and reshipped to distance education students, delivery may take up to two weeks for books. If a deadline is at issue, be sure to put the latest possible date that the material can be used on the online Interlibrary Loan form. Photocopies are usually provided within two to four business days.

Additional services for Distance Learning students, including delivery of materials owned by Drexel University Libraries, are described here.

Distance Learners must identify themselves as such on all Interlibrary Loan request forms.

What items may I request through interlibrary loan?

Drexel students, faculty, staff, residents and fellows may request articles, books, book chapters, conference papers, theses/dissertations, patents, audio/visual materials and government documents not owned by the Drexel University Libraries

What items may I not request through interlibrary loan?

Drexel students, faculty, staff, residents and fellows may not request Drexel-owned items, books on reserve or in the reference collection, and articles from journals in Drexel's print or electronic collections. They also may not request the textbooks that are required for their classes.

What if an item is checked out or missing?

If an item is checked out, place a request/hold on the book. If an item is missing or lost, please inform library staff of the missing/lost item. You may then place an interlibrary loan request for that item.

How many items may I request at one time?

Drexel University Libraries have established a limit on how many outstanding interlibrary loan requests are allowed per patron. Requests are considered outstanding until the books/articles are received. Please contact Resource Sharing staff if you have a legitimate need to go over the set limits.

Faculty/Staff: unlimited

Graduate Students: 20 outstanding requests

Undergraduate Students: 10 outstanding requests

How much information do I need to provide on the online request form?

Fill in all required fields. This information varies according to the type of material being requested, but will always include the author(s), title, and the 'cancel request after date' fields.
In the case of a journal article request, the full journal title is essential, as well the volume, year and pages. It is also helpful to include the ISSN, PMID (PubMed identifier) or UI (Unique Identifier) used in OVID MEDLINE.
In the case of a book request, the full title is essential, as well as author and year of publication. It is also helpful to include the ISBN.

How long does it take for an ILL request to be filled?

Requests are generally processed in the order in which they are received. Books can take up to two weeks to be filled. Journal articles and book chapters usually arrive within 2 - 3 days. Campus document delivery of articles/book chapters among the libraries operates on a 48-hour turnaround schedule. If there is an urgent need, please indicate by entering RUSH in the comments field.

How will I know when my items arrive?

You will receive an e-mail message once the item arrives. For article requests, the email will contain a direct link to the article. For book requests, the email will contain pickup location and any special instructions regarding book.

Can I receive items online?

Yes! Journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers are posted to a web site and we send you the link via e-mail.

May my books be renewed?

Books borrowed using the E-Z Borrow system allow one renewal only, and can be renewed by logging into your library record shortly before the due date. Books borrowed through ILLiad are allowed one renewal also at the lender's discretion. Renewals can be requested by logging into ILLiad within 5 days of the due date. ILL Staff will submit the renewal request to the lender for approval. If approved, you will be notified of the new due date via email. If denied, an email will be sent asking for the return of the book.

Where do I pick up ILL/E-Z Borrow items?

Please pick up books at the circulation desk of your primary library.

How do I cancel ILL requests once submitted?

Interlibrary loan requests can be cancelled online as long as they are still in the 'Awaiting Request Processing' status.